Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead said there’s a good case for exporting Wyoming’s coal, which has low sulphur and mercury content, and where the state has solid environmental regulations that require reclamation of mines.

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Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead is in Vancouver to investigate the potential to export more of his state’s coal to Asia through ports here, but also to learn about concerns.

Wyoming exports only about one per cent of its 400 million tonnes produced annually via Port Metro Vancouver.

Mead said he is aware of the opposition of some of the residents here, similar to criticism in Washington State and Oregon where three coal terminals have been proposed.

“You have to involve all of the stakeholders — those who have concerns, those who are supportive — because there’s no plan forward that I see where you try to force this on anybody,” said Mead.

He believes issues such as coal dust and increased train traffic can be addressed, and is willing to reach out to environmental groups here.

But Mead said it would be unfair to not allow developing countries in Asia, such as South Korea and India, to have access to low-cost energy produced by coal. He noted that benefit is already being enjoyed in the United States.

He also said there’s a good case for exporting Wyoming’s coal, which has low sulphur and mercury content, and where the state has solid environmental regulations that require reclamation of mines.

It also doesn’t seem a good idea to single out a commodity like coal given the two countries vast trading relationship, said Mead, noting the state trades $2 billion annually with Canada.

Export proponents have pointed to the importance of coal to the province’s economy, pointing to 26,000 direct and spinoff jobs and a $3.2-billion boost to GDP from the coal sector.

On Thursday the governor also visited Cummins, which produces natural gas engines, because he has an interest in replacing diesel locomotives and mining equipment.

Mead is scheduled to tour Westshore Terminals in Tsawwassen and to meet Port Metro CEO Robin Silvester today, part of a weeklong Canadian visit.

Port Metro officials would not provide anyone to speak Thursday on the governor’s visit, but issued a statement by email noting the port meets regularly with international delegations, including government officials.

Wyoming is the largest coal producer in the United States and, faced with falling domestic demand, is looking for new markets in Asia.

However, because there are no coal-handling terminals in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, producers in the Powder River Basin, largely located in Wyoming, are turning to Port Metro Vancouver, which already has coal terminals and more capacity planned.

A $200-million expansion at Neptune Terminals in North Vancouver — and a proposed $15-million coal handling facility at Fraser Surrey Docks — will increase capacity to more than 50 million metric tonnes a year.

Just over 32 million tonnes of coal were exported in 2012, so Port Metro Vancouver has excess export capacity.

About one quarter of Vancouver’s coal exports came from the United States in 2012.

That share is likely to increase when Surrey Fraser Docks proposal (four million tonnes) is approved as all the coal would come from the Powder River Basin.

Environmental groups and communities, including Vancouver and White Rock, have cited health and environmental concerns, including the production of greenhouse gas emissions from coal.

Critics have also said the port’s review process of coal expansion projects needs more public involvement.

“Vancouver is becoming the dirty coal export capital of North America. Why? Because the Americans respond to citizens’ concerns far more readily than we do here,” said Independent MLA Vicki Huntington, whose riding is Delta South.

Resistance to two coal terminal proposals in Washington State and one in Oregon has been stiff. The projects — which face rigorous federal, state and local reviews — are years away from being completed.

Voters Taking Action on Climate Change (VTACC) wants to see an immediate end to coal exports from the U.S., which it fingers for contributing to increased global carbon dioxide emissions. VTACC spokesman Kevin Washbrook characterized the Wyoming governor’s visit here as an act of desperation.

“They can’t get (coal) out of the state, so the governor is coming to B.C. to plead his case,” Washbrook said. “They’ve got a problem. Opposition here is only building.”

On Thursday, the Coal Alliance (representing the port, rail lines and coal-producer Teck Resources) released a poll that showed support for continued coal exports from Vancouver.

Asked if, as a resource-based economy, B.C. should be exporting coal overseas as long as environmental laws and regulations are followed, 65 per cent strongly or moderately agreed.

The online poll of 816 people conducted on May 6 and 7 also showed that 40 per cent supported exporting both Canadian and U.S. coal from B.C. ports, while 39 per cent supported exporting only Canadian coal from B.C ports.

Almost all coal produced in B.C. and exported is used in steel making, while U.S. coal is used to generate power.

The poll release was not timed to coincide with the Wyoming governor’s visit, said Coal Alliance spokesman Alan Fryer.

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